
Illustration by Arnel Reynon
Radio IQ, a public station that is owned by Virginia Tech, recently upgraded its broadcast signal to "enable us to serve the Richmond community in a much better way," manager Glenn Gleixner says.
The station received approval from the Federal Communications Commission to boost its signal strength to 220 watts, up dramatically from 10 watts. The more robust signal should address issues related to intermittent coverage and dead zones. "It should be strong enough to penetrate tall buildings," Gleixner says.
The station made the move in response to feedback from listeners in Richmond. "People were emailing us to ask, ‘Can you make your signal better?'" Gleixner says. "Some people said they could hear it at home or work, but not in their cars."
Radio IQ's broadcast frequency in Richmond is 92.5 FM. Its 24-hour format features news, talk and information programming. Radio IQ is affiliated with radio station WVTF, which is licensed in Roanoke. It began broadcasting in Richmond in 2010.
Gleixner says his station is a "good complement" to the mixed format of WCVE 88.9 FM, a separate NPR affiliate in Richmond.